MY YEAR IN BOOKS, V.2

In the spirit of tradition, today I am sharing all the books I read last year! (For the record, referring to 2015 as "last year" is already weird. What the even.) If I have one 2015 regret, it is that I didn't get to read near as many books as I wished. Ah well. C'est la vie. But I did the best I could and discovered some true gems! Last year (still weird) I read books that have become my favourites and a couple I wish I could forget. So without further ado...

The books of 2015!

• Show Your Work - Austin Kleon
• The Importance of Being Earnest - Oscar Wilde
• Chivalry - Zach Hunter
• The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexander Dumas
• Life of Pi - Yann Martel
• Erasing Hell - Francis Chan
• Rebecca (reread) - Daphne de Maurier
• Bread and Wine - Shauna Niequist
• The Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk Kidd
• The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict - Trenton Lee Stewart
• The Calvary Road - Roy Hession
• Divergent, Insurgent, + Allegiant - Veronica Roth
• The $100 Startup - Chris Guillebeau
• The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield
• Go Set a Watchman - Harper Lee
• The Circle Maker - Mark Batterson
• Daring Greatly - Brene Brown
• The Hundred-Foot Journey - Richard C. Morais

BEST: Bread and Wine wins by a landslide. This is one I want to keep and treasure and read again throughout the years. Also, I won't be satisfied until I try all those scrumptious recipes. Whoa man. 

WORST: The Divergent series. For the love, do not even get me started on what a sloppy, shallow mess these books were. No, really, stop me now.

MOST THOUGHT-PROVOKING: I thought long and hard over Daring Greatly. What Brene Brown had to say about the power of vulnerability and how it changes our lives was fascinating.

MOST DULL: I'm afraid I will have to say Life of Pi. But to be fair, the second half was very engaging and interesting. It was only the long, prologue-ish first half that tended to bore me. 

FUNNIEST: This honor goes to The Importance of Being Earnest. Oh my word, what a wickedly funny little story!  

MOST CHALLENGING: To say The Calvary Road is a challenging book is an understatement. It would be more accurate to say it grabs a hold of you, knocks you over the head with a spiritual sledgehammer, and leaves you in a corner to consider what you have done.  

MOST INTENSE: Though I found the middle to drag a bit, The Count of Monte Cristo was an intriguing read. The beginning and end were wild rides of intensity that kept me going until the last page.  

MOST SURPRISING: As I said in my review, I expected Go Set A Watchman to be a major disappointment, yet it wasn't. Though it can't compare to its faultless predecessor (what could?), I loved this book through and through.

CURRENTLY READING: My Cousin Rachel by Daphne de Maurier, The Complete Collection of the Brothers Grimm, + Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin. 

So. We all know what comes next. The 2016 reading list! What are your recommendations?

--

mind the gap channel | instagram | facebook | pinterest

"ATTICUS? I THINK I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH."

*(For brevity's sake, I am going to assume you have either read Go Set a Watchman, or are at least familiar with the controversy surrounding it. I have neither time nor inclination to rehash all the details or plotline. Because I'm annoying like that. And I will deepen that annoyance by revealing there are spoilers ahead. Heh heh.)

I was ecstatic, marked my calendar. Then I heard the rumors, saw the shocking headlines. I was nervous, almost scared. To read or not to read was certainly the question of the day.

I chose read. And I am so happy I did.

I can see why some critics painted Harper Lee's second novel, Go Set a Watchman, as a near-failure. True, it was no where near as well-written and expertly developed as her first, To Kill a Mockingbird. Honestly, I can forgive that because after all, it was technically her first draft of Mockingbird (if you saw some of my first drafts... it's not pretty). But it was good. It was different, heartfelt, raw. Where Mockingbird was written through a child's eyes, Watchman gives us a take on life from the perspective of the now adult Jean Louise (Scout). All the illusions and blind spots of Jean Louise's childhood are gone; instead, she begins to discover the world, and the people in it, as it really is, with all its flaws and confusion and darkness.  

A flawed world which includes Atticus Finch.

Atticus Finch is one of literature's greatest triumphs. I certainly didn't want to believe the rumors of his supposed transformation into a raving, bloodthirsty racist. I'm glad I didn't, because it just wasn't true. In most ways, the Atticus Finch of Go Set a Watchman was the same Atticus Finch of To Kill a Mockingbird. This time, I was simply seeing him without the rose-colored glasses of a little girl who adores her father.

After being away from home, adult Jean Louise visits Atticus back in Maycomb and is shocked to unveil his opinions and actions toward segregation. Yes, I disagreed (sometimes strongly) with Atticus on some of his views. But he is simply a man who sees the world changing around him and tries to handle it in what he perceives as the most logical way. Like any human out there, he has flaws, his perceptions can be wrong, and he makes mistakes. He expressed condescending, segregated views, of which I did not approve and sided firmly with Jean Louise. But did I see a bloodthirsty, arrogant man full of hate? No. He is still the Atticus who defended Tom Robinson (and would readily do it again), a loving father who cares for his children, a strong man who believes in justice. Every man's island, Jean Louise, every man's watchman, is his conscience.

So did I love and adore Go Set a Watchman? Not exactly. I appreciated its heart, the characters, the emotional tension, and the conflict. My favourite bits were the often humorous flashbacks to Scout's childhood, particularly the scenes involving Dill (though was anyone else tremendously upset about Jem's death?). But I'm not going to say it was an easy read, that I enjoyed being on differing sides with my beloved Atticus Finch. Some of his opinions were disappointing. But unlike what reviews said, he wasn't cruel or violent or even shockingly changed. He was just flawed (like we all are), and Harper Lee finally let us see those flaws in all their true colors.

I don't know if any of this makes sense or if it just sounds contradictory. I know there are faithful fans who were heartbroken over this book, but I'm glad I read it. I wasn't crushed. I didn't hate Atticus for his way of thinking or feel betrayed by Harper Lee. Go Set a Watchman reminded me even the best of us have our downfalls and heroes aren't perfect. Like Scout realized when she stopped idolizing her father, we can't see people how we want them to be; we have to see them for who they really are, even when the truth is hard to face. People may disagree and have their differences, but that's okay. The Atticuses in our lives will fail us sometimes, but what matters is how we react, how we forgive, and how we love.

(And hate me if you will, but I'm still a big fan of Atticus Finch.)

Okay. I'm done now. It's your turn! What are you thoughts on Go Set a Watchman? Tell me all.

MY YEAR IN BOOKS, V.1

It's twenty-fifteen now, huh? I'm still getting used to the sound of that...

At the beginning of 2014, I made a list of new books I hoped to read throughout the year. I had a few select titles in mind and added to it as I thought of more. It was extremely ambitious of me, being that the list was quite long and I knew deep down I wouldn't be able to scratch off every title by the time 2015 rolled around. I didn't, but that's okay, because even if I didn't read as many books as I would have liked, the ones I did read were some of the best ever, became new favourites, and caused some intense book hangovers. Don't get me wrong, not all of them were winners, but for the most part, I discovered some pretty fantastic reads.

So in no particular order... the books of 2014!

• Crazy Love - Francis Chan
• Rebecca - Daphne de Maurier
• Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury
• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Annie Barrows & Mary Ann Shaffer
• A Series of Unfortunate Events (all 13 of them!) - Lemony Snicket
• Grace for the Good Girl - Emily P. Freeman
• Watership Down - Richard Adams
• The Invisible Man - H.G. Wells
• Crazy Busy - Kevin DeYoung
• The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Just Do Something - Kevin DeYoung
• Black - Ted Dekker
• Get Out of That Pit - Beth Moore
• Titus: Comrade of the Cross - Florence Morse Kingsley
• The Eagle of the Ninth - Rosemary Sutcliff
• Villette - Charlotte Bronte
• Young House Love - John & Sherry Petersik
• The Red Badge of Courage - Stephen Crane
• Notes From a Tilt-a-Whirl - N.D. Wilson
• Bridge to Haven - Francine Rivers
• The Giver - Lois Lowry
• Revolution in World Missions - K.P. Yohannan 
• The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood - Howard Pyle
• Respectable Sins - Jerry Bridges
• Steal Like An Artist - Austin Kleon
• The Mockingbird Next Door - Marja Mills
• The King's Speech - Mark Logue & Peter Conradi

BEST: Rebecca and Steal Like An Artist tie for me. Runner-ups include The Mockingbird Next Door and Crazy Love.

WORST: I try to pick books that I'm 99.9% sure I'll like, so none of these were a huge let-down. However, I did drag myself through three chapters of The Fault in Our Stars before I couldn't take the sarcasm, drama, and just BLEH any longer. That was my worst reading experience of 2014.

MOST THOUGHT-PROVOKING: The Giver. Against my better judgment, I saw the movie before reading the book, but both are equally intriguing.

MOST DULL: I didn't enjoy Watership Down as much as I expected, and The Red Badge of Courage had to work hard to hold my attention as well. I was greatly anticipating Fahrenheit 451, but I read it while I was sick and distracted, so I don't think I appreciated it as much as I ought. I would like to read that one again soon...

FUNNIEST: It's a toss-up between The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and A Series of Unfortunate Events. Such clever stories! The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society also had some humorous moments.

MOST CHALLENGING/INSPIRATIONAL: Revolution in World Missions first, then Crazy Love. Wow.

MOST INTENSE: Rebecca. Definitely Rebecca.

MOST SURPRISING: For some reason, I didn't have high expectations for The Eagle of the Ninth (probably because I saw the movie first and the movie is just okay), but it was an incredibly engaging story and captivated me from beginning to end.

CURRENTLY READING: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas (I had the best of intentions to complete it in 2014, but guys... it's huge) and The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict by Trenton Lee Stewart.

So there you have it. Not an impressively long list, but special, nonetheless. Now I have a job for you... I'm in the midst of creating my 2015 reading list, and I need some recommendations! Readysetgo.

a book you love

"Seeing someone 

reading a book you love 

is seeing a book 

recommending a person." 

- unknown

Asking you to name your favourite book would be cruelty itself, so instead I would like to ask you this: What one book do you think you've read the most times in your life, and why have you revisited it so much?

In the spirit of fairness, I will answer this myself: The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers. I have devoured this book numerous times, thrust it into the arms of anyone who would take it, and read it aloud to my family. Whenever someone asks for book recommendations, this is the first to pop to mind. My copy is ragged, with dog-eared corners, a crinkled cover, and streaks of mascara on the pages from a little too much crying. But I don't mind. This book is well-loved.

The first time I picked it up, I was fourteen and learning a lot about life and growing up and knowing where I stood and what I believed in. From chapter one, I was sucked into the story of ten-year-old Cadi, who was facing many of the same issues. My young mind was in a whirl as Cadi failed to escape her incomprehensible guilt, met someone who told her about the real Sin Eater, and discovered the truth that would give her freedom. By the end of the book, she knew who she believed in and why she trusted Him, and though she was terrified at first, boldness overtook her soul. And that's when I realized what it meant to live fearlessly. Young as they were, Cadi and her friend Fagan (the best character in the book) were passionate Jesus-followers, regardless of the danger to themselves. They simply took joy in speaking of the Lord. When I closed the last page that first time so long ago, I knew right then that fearless was how I wanted to be defined. Fearless for Jesus. Fearless for love. Fearless for the truth that sets free.

Between that aspect of the book and the tremendous supply of stirring characters (Miz Elda and the man of God and Bletsung, oh my!), The Last Sin Eater is one I have revisited time and again. If I were to take a modest guess, I'd say I've read it at least six times. 

Okay. Your turn. Readysetgo.

(It's less than a month until England, guys. Kinda freaking out.)

in which i talk of books, copious weeping, and pocket-sized wonders

(I never realize how fast I talk until I watch myself on camera... Goodness, calm down there, Speedy Gonzales.)

Now that you've heard me talk about books, I wanna hear you talk about books. Lemme have it... favourite books you've read this year, new ones you're looking forward to, all-time favourites. But please no spoilers. Readysetgo.

so i started a business.

When I drew out my list of 2014 adventures at the beginning of the year, one of the first items I jotted down was, start a new job or business. Well, folks, the time has come.

I don't have to explain how much I love books. And my last post was pretty much a proclamation of my ardent love of people. Over the past year, as I have been acting as the literature teacher for my sister and a friend of mine, I discovered a way to combine both those loves into a little business I am crazy excited about: online literature tutoring. And on April 14, I officially launched By the Book, my own literature teaching business! I'm more than just a little thrilled, if you couldn't tell. I have wanted to start a business for quite some time, and to create something that so perfectly melds two of my biggest passions has been purty amazing. God is good and gives me the courage to be adventurous.

So now if you don't mind, head on over and check out my business because I'm proud of it. No shame here, people. And I would consider it a personal favor if you would forward the link to friends, share it on your social media outlets, tell your neighbor... ya know, any way to get the word out. Thanks in advance, guys. And hey, if any of you would like to study a book with me, then let's do it! Just head over to my shop and we'll get this party started.

And I can't end this post without saying that my darling Jess is the sneaky little sheep behind the gorgeous design of my new website. Seriously, guys, she did a stunning job. Sometimes I will just click on my home page and stare at it for a while thinking, It's soooo beautiful. (Again, I really have no shame.) Thank you so much, my lovely Jess!